MINUTES

Sign-In

The meeting was held at the USCG Base Club 14 and had 37 attendees.

Call To Order

Chairman Robin Bond opened the meeting by greeting the attendees and reviewing the issues that the Board has been working on since our last general Membership Meeting.

1.         We have received our 501 (C) (3) IRS business identification number and non-profit status.   This took quite some effort and we are glad to have it finished.

2.         We have been working hard at keeping our website up-to-date.   Please be aware that it is there and use to keep up to date on our activities.

3.         Robin has sent a letter to the State Harbors Division and DLNR, on the subject of conflicting uses within the Kawaihae commercial harbor area.    This is part of an effort to encourage the completion of the DLNR harbor being developed immediately adjacent to the commercial harbor.   The current situation is such that DLNR vessels are anchored within the commercial harbor and present a navigational challenge for the commercial operators trying to serve the port.  No response as yet.

4.         Robin gave a presentation on HOST at the Hawaiian Islands Recreational SCUBA Association Maritime Day meeting held at the Rainbow Marina Yacht Club in Pearl Harbor.  He reintroduced a gathering from the diving community to HOST and reviewed the S.O.P. developed by HOST regarding safe diving practices.     Hopefully we will see more involvement from the diving community again.

5.         Robin announced that the Board has voted to send him to the upcoming Fifth Annual Harbor Safety Committee Conference to be held in Boston, April 6 – 9th.    We are currently looking for approximately  $2,000. that would be needed to fund his trip.    Any companies wishing to contribute – please contact either Robin Bond or Brad Rimell.

New Security Areas

Robin introduced the first presenter, CDR George Butler of the USCG MSO.   He presented an overview of the new proposed rules for Security Zones in the Hawaii area.     There have been Security Zones in place since the 9-11 attack on New York City.    Until now they have been temporary.   Currently the USCG is proposing to make these permanent.    A Notice of Proposed Rule Making  (NPRM) is currently before the Federal Docket for comment.    The proposed rules are very similar to what currently exists with the exception that the Chevron and Tesoro offshore moorings at Barber’s Point have been combined into one Zone for ease of enforcement.    

The purpose of the Security Zones is to protect critical infrastructure and public gatherings such as cruise ships.   The Security Zones will always be in place, but the level of enforcement will be “elective” on the part of the USCG.   This is the only way the law can work.   The level of enforcement will be commensurate with the risk and warning levels.    The proposed areas include the following.

            ·          Honolulu Harbor/Keehi Lagoon

            ·          Barber’s Point Offshore Moorings

            ·          Kahului Harbor

            ·          Port Allen Harbor

            ·          Hilo Harbor  (100 yards around a cruise ship)

            ·          Barber’s Point  Deep Draft Harbor

            ·          Lahaina and Kailua Kona  (500 yards around a cruise ship)

            ·          Nawiliwili Harbor

Please feel free to submit comments to the Docket.  (Docket No. CGD14-03-001)  The comment period will end by April 4 and the final rules published by April 14th.

Questions and Discussion

A question was asked as to whether cruise ships were the main consideration in determining security zones?   There are other threats, for example, the Army ammunition ship that routinely goes to Kawaihae.    CDR Butler pointed out that currently for USCG focus is on targets not necessarily weapons, but this could change.

Another question asked whether the USCG Notice to Mariners broadcasts were notifying people of the Security Zones as well as the level of enforcement.  How are people getting the word?     CDR Butler answered that currently the Notice to Mariners is not routinely restating the Security Zones and cannot be specific about enforcement levels.     On the neighbor islands the best thing to do is to contact the USCG on Marine VHF Channel 16.    Captain Skuby added that the USCG is still looking at what they are going to do but the best answer is probably to call the Command Center phone number.    It is intended that this will become a “one stop shop” for Security Zone inquiries.    That number is

541-2477  or   541-2446

Sause Brothers asked whether it was possible to get a one time exemption since they will routinely be within the Security Zones.   The USCG is sympathetic to this problem and will take this under consideration.

A questions was asked as to why the Honolulu Zone is so large?   It includes Keehi Lagoon which has three recreational marinas in the area.   CDR Butler said that the areas are large so that they give the USCG the flexibility they need to ensure security to the Honolulu Harbor and the airport.    Enforcement is selective and won’t usually involve recreational boaters but it could.

CDR Butler offered his phone number  (522-8264  ex. 352)  for those needing assistance in making comments to the Docket.

Hawaii Integrated Maritime Information System  –  HIMIS

Robin introduced the next presenter, LCDR Lane Johnson, of the USCG.  He has been working on a project sponsored by the USCG and others called the Hawaii Integrated Maritime Information System or HIMIS.   This is a new effort by the USCG to provide their customers with a variety of maritime information and other services.   Lane gave a brief overview of the possible services that could be offered.    These included vessel traffic information and shipping agent on-line reporting services. It could also be a method of submitting applications for maritime event permits such as regattas or parades.    Other information included on-line would be the most up to date “light list” information and the most current “Coast Pilot”.   Users will be able to see which vessels are in port and to conduct vessel document searches.  Special passes will be available for certain end user features such as shipping agent notification areas. It is still under development and input from the people who may benefit from this system most is being sought.   The webmasters developing the site will be in town the first week of March.  If you would like to see something added please let Lane know.   In the future such things as ballast water exchange and hull fouling reporting requirements may be on-line for user convenience.   Another element for the future may be on-line instructional aids for creating Hazardous Waste Manifests.

Questions / Answers

A question was asked regarding whether Pearl Harbor would be included in the Port Access reporting section.   LCDR Johnson reported that it currently was not, but that it could be.     He will take that under advisement.

A question as to whether this would be the only way to access this information or will the current paper trail method still be needed.      LCDR Johnson pointed out that currently the funding is coming from the USCG.    In the future other entities such as the State of Hawaii may be participating.    Also, the current paper trail system is still in effect.    It will require acceptance and “buy-in”  from State Harbors and others before use becomes fully accepted.    As of now we have redundant systems.

Background Lighting Affecting Range Lights

Robin introduced Kim Beasley who discussed a mainland USCG inquiry regarding background interference to navigational aids lighting.   Kim reported that the USCG from the east coast has received complaints regarding background lighting and the interference it causes mariners trying to

navigate into harbor channels and other areas.   Range lights and buoy channel markers are difficult to see against “busy” background lighting.    They have requested feedback from the Harbor Safety Committees as to whether this is a problem in our area.   They are trying to gauge just how big a problem this is.    Kim passed out a questionnaire asking the attendees to fill it out and return it.    He also said that he would include a similar questionnaire with the meeting minutes.    Feedback will be given to the USCG.

Old Business

Kim Beasley also reminded the group about the NOAA Drift Card Study.     Once a month for the next two years drift cards will be placed in the ocean at the Barber’s Point moorings.   The intent is to gather information on currents in the area.    If you find one, please call NOAA according to the instructions on the card.   If anyone is interested in seeing the results you can go to the NOAA Website at: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/driftcard/oahu.html.

Announcements

Propeller Club Kick Off Party

Kim Beasley announced that the Propeller Club will be kicking off the new year with a party to be held at the Waikiki Yacht Club on the 24th of February.    Any and all are invited to come.    For more information about the Propeller Club please call Kim Beasley at 845-8465.

“Summit-To-Sea 2003”

Lynn Nakagawa with Coastal Zone Management Hawaii announced that they will be working with Sea Grant and others on the upcoming conference entitled “Summit-To-Sea 2003”, to be held October 26 – 29 of this year.    This is a joint project of NOAA, CZM Hawaii, DBEDT-ORB, OHA, Hawaii Sea Grant, DOH, DOA-ADP, and the City and County of Honolulu among others.   It will be a four day conference that provides opportunity for you and your organization to present your views and solutions on a range of ocean and coastal resource management issues.    For more information and the latest updates contact www.hawaiiormp.com.

Future Topics

Robin reminded everyone that we are always looking for topics.   We are currently looking at possible presentations on whales vs vessels, and security access during emergencies.

The next meetings are as follows:

·          Next Board Meetings                        March 13, 2003 and April 10, 2003

·          Next Membership Meeting               April 24th,  2003

                                                        (At the HCC Marine Education Center)

New Business /Adjournment

Robin asked if there were any new business?    Hearing none, the meeting was adjourned.

H.O.S.T.  SURVEY

The United States Coast Guard on the mainland has asked marine communities if we could advise them on the level of concern we have regarding background lighting interference with lighted navigational aids.   Examples of this may include channel range lighting that is indistinguishable from surrounding shore lighting behind it.  Lighted channel marker buoys that are hard to differentiate from shore-based lighting may be another example.  In cooperation with the USCG H.O.S.T would like to ask you, our members, how concerned you are regarding this issue.  This assessment of the level of concern within the Hawaii community will be passed along to the Coast Guard.

If you can, please take a moment to fill out the survey.  Please enter an “X”  in front of the statement that most represents your level of concern regarding this issue.

                   Not Concerned

                   Mildly concerned

                   Very concerned

                   Extremely concerned

Please comment or provide specific examples and return it to Robin Bond  at hawaiioceansafetyteam@yahoo.com.